Waiting-stand for dining-tables.



B. F. MAOMINN- WAITING STAND FOR DINING TABLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1909.

945,848., Patented Jan. 11,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1..

B. F. MAOMINN. WAITING STAND FOR DINING TABLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1909.

Patented Jan. 11,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

amuenioz BENJAMIN F. MacMINN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

WAITING-STAND FOR DINING-TABLES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be -it known that I, BENJAMIN F. Mec- MINN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vaiting-Stands for Dining- Tables, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved waiting stand for dining tables, the object of the invention being to provide an improved device of this character, which will support a number of dishes containing prepared foods, and which may be readily turned, so that all persons at the table may wait upon themselves, and which may when not in use he collapsed into a small space.

A further object is to provide an improved bearing for the device, which dispenses with the necessity of lubricant, and yet affords an easy turning long lived bearmg.

A further object is to provide improvements of this character, which are extremely simple in construction, ornamental in appearance, comparatively cheap to manufacture, and strong and durable in use.

Vvith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a view partly in elevation and partly in section illustrating my improvements. Fig. 2, is a sectional plan view. Figs. 3, 4 and 5, are enlarged views illustrating details of construction.

1 represents the socket at the center of the base of my improved device, to which the feet 2 are secured, and this socket 1 is adapted to receive a glass block 3, and a vertical sleeve 4 screwed into the socket, and shouldered so as to hold the glass block firmly in position in the bottom of the socket. A glass bearing 5 is supported in the upper end of sleeve 4:, and has an annular flange 6 set in a corresponding recess in sleeve 4, so as to prevent vertical movement of bearing 5. A vertical rod 7 is supported to turn in bearing 5, and has a conical end 8 having a thrust bearing in block 3, and this rod may be of any height desired, and preferably supports at its up- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 25, 1999.

Patented Jan. 11, 1210.

Serial No. 498,301.

per end a socket 9 to receive a flower pot 10,

or other suitable device. On rod 7 above bearing 5, a collar 11 is mounted to turn, and held against vertical movement by a cross pin 12 extending through rod 7 above the collar 11. 13 represents a collar similar to collar 11, and mounted to slide on rod 7 and this collar and the collar 11 are provided with annular series of perforated ears 1 1, which are connected by rods or stays 15 with plate holding clamps 16. These clamps 16 comprise two members 17 and 18 respectively, overlapping each other, and having longitudinal slots 19, and curved flanges or lips 20 at their ends to engage the sides of a dish.

21 represents a bar extending laterally below members 17 and 18, and pins 22 having heads at their upper ends extend through the slots 19 in members 17 and 18, and one of said pins is rigidly secured to a bracket 23 on the bottom of bar 21, while the other of said pins is bifurcated, and a cam lever 24 is mounted in the bifurcated lower end of this pin 22, and is adapted when moved to one position to permit free adjustment of the members 17 and 18 to accommodate various sizes of dishes, and when moved to its other position as shown in Fig. 3, will securely clamp the plate holder at its adjustment, and securely clamp a dish in the plate holder, as Will be readily understood. The bracket 23 above referred to, is pivotally connected to both of the rods or stays 15 extending from the collars 13 and 11 respectively, and spring catches 25 are provided on rod 7 to hold the collar 13 in its normal position, and a spring catch 26 is provided near the upper end of rod 7, so that when the collar 13 is moved upward to bring all the plate holders in toward rod 7, this catch 26 will engage below collar 13, and hold the device in its col lapsible position.

27 represents a wire basket, which is preferably made in the form of a series of clamps 28, to receive and support knives, forks, spoons, and the like, in convenient position ready for use, and I have shown in dotted lines a spoon 29 supported in one of the clamps. The basket is also adapted for the reception of condiment holders and other table articles, so that the device is in effect an automatic waiter with everything needed for the table in convenient reach of every one at the table.

Various slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts described without departing from my invention, and hence I do not restrict myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a base, and a vertical rod having rotary mounting in said base, of a series of plate clamps, each plate clamp comprising two members having slots therein, a bar below said members, pins in said slots and extending through said bar, a bracket secured to one of said pins, rods connecting said bracket with said first mentioned rod, and means for clamping said members relative to each other.

2. The combination with a base, and a vertical rod having rotary mounting in said base, of a series of plate clamps, each plate clamp comprising two members having slots therein, a bar below said members, pins in said slots and extending through said bar, a bracket secured to one of said pins, rods connecting said bracket With said first mentioned rod, and the other of said pins bifurcated at its lower end, and a cam lever pivotally mounted in said bifurcated end of the pin.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. MACMINN.

Vitnesses R. H. KRENKEL, J. A. L. MULHALL. 

